Torpedo-guard for vessels



(Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet l.

W. 11.7711111211. j, y TORPEDO GUARD FOR VESSELS. No. 247,717. Pate/111911 sept. 27,1881.

(Model.) sneets-sneetz.. W. H. WALKER. Y TORPEDO'GUARD FOR ESSBLS.

No. 24.7,7-17. Patented sept. 27, 1881.

Mm I @y f .Httornqgnl 'l (Model.) 5 sheets-Sheet 3,v

W. H.'WALKBR.

TORPBDO GUARD POR VEssBLs.

Y No. 247,717. Patented Sept. 27,1881.

WITJVESSES v Y I l r l 4 t v r e S VmW/w o "y N. PETERS Phuwmhngnptmr, wnsnmgmn, D. c,

5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

- (Model.)

W. H. WALKER. TORPEDO GUARD POP. VESSELS.

No. 247,717. Patented Sept. 27,1881.

- WITNESSES w w w u A 5 E.. E K L A W H W TORPEDU GUARD POR VBS'SELS.

Patented Sept. 27,1881.

1N VEA/TOR WITNESSES .dttorneys UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM H. WALKER, OF DEER GREEK, INDIANA.

vTORPEDO-GUARD FOR VESSELS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 247,717, dated September 2'?, 1881.

Application tiled July 20, 1881.

To all whom it may concern Beit known that I, WILLIAM H. WALKER, of Deer Greek, in the county of Carroll and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Torpedo-Guards for Vessels; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to -which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

Figure l is a perspective view of a vessel equipped with my improved torpedo-guards. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the same. Fig. 3 is a top-plan View. Fig. 4 is a view of one of the guards or fenders detached. Fig. 5 is a View of one of the adjustable davits. Fig. 6 is a view showing one of the guards or fenders raised, and Fig. 7 is a view showing the same lowered.

Corresponding parts in the several figures are denoted by like letters of reference.

This invention relates to torpedo guards or fenders for vessels; and it consists in certain improvements in the construction and arrangement of the same, which will be hereinafter fully described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the drawings hereto annexed, A represents the hull of an iron-clad vessel, to the sides of which my invention has been applied. Said invention, as has been stated,

vconsists of a series of guards or fenders, which being constructed all alike, a description of one will answer for the entire number.

B B are two vertical parallel supporting rods or braces, provided at their upper ends with hooks C, by which they are adjusted upon the bulwarks of the vessel. To insure their remaining properlyin position, additional screws orvbolts D may be employed.

The sides or supporting-braces B are connected by a horizontal transverse connecting rod or bolt, E,located centrally between the said braces. To their lower ends are pivoted connecting-rods F, the extreme lower or outer ends of which are connected by cross pieces or braces G, upon the projecting ends of which are pivoted the fender or guard beams, which (Model.)

consist of flat metallic bars H, as shown in the several drawings hereto annexed.

The lower ends of the guard-beams H are provided with knees I, upon which upright studs J are formed, as shown in the drawings, said studs being for the purpose of holding and supporting the lower end of the guard or fender, as will be hereinafter described.

The guard-beams H are connected a short distance below their center by a transverse cross-bar, K, upon the ends of which are pivoted arms L, having studs M, to support the upper ends of the fenders or guards, as will be hereinafter more fully described.

The arms L are capable of being secured permanentlyin a horizontal position by means of bolts N, passing through the guard-beam below the cross-bar K, as shown.

The guard or fender consists of three parallel vertical at bars, O O O, the upper and lower ends of which are tenoned, as at P, to receive the upper and lower parallel connectin g-bars, Q Q. The bars O are also provided with perforations R to receive a series of parallel rods, S, which complete the structure of the guard or fender.

The upper connecting-bar Q is provided with two rearward-projecting brackets, T T, having openings U, by which they may be adjusted upon the studs M of arms L. Said brackets are also provided with upward-projecting hooks V.

The lower connecting-bar Q has perforations W, by which it may be adjusted upon the studs J of the knees or brackets I of the guard-beams.

X is a supporting-rod secured upon the upper tenon ofthe central bar O, and having its inner end resting upon the cross-bar K, so as to aid in securing or retaining the guard or fender in its proper position. Y Y are hooks pivoted upon said crossbar adjoining the inner sides of the guard-beams.

Upon the outer ends of the bolt E, which connects the supporting-braces B, are pivoted two pairs of hooks, Z Z, A A', the inner ones of which, Z, are somewhat longer than the outer ones. The braces B are provided near their upper hooked ends with outward-projecting studs B', upon which the guard-beams may be adjusted by perforations C', or by the hooks hereinbefore referred to.

To operate or adjust the guard or fenders, I avail myself of the adjustable davits D. (Shown in Fig. 5 ofthe drawings.) Said davits are provided with downward-projectingbrackets E', fitting over the ships bulwarks, upon which they maybe secured bya pin, F', passing transversely through suitable perforations. A single pair of davits may thus be successively adjusted over each guard or fender, which may thus be raised or lowered by means of ordinary rope and tackle.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the drawings hereto annexed, the operation and advantages of my invention will be understood. The guards or fenders, which are at a considerable distance from the sides of the vessel, will intercept any torpedo and cause it to explode without doing any injury, except, perhaps, to demolish the fender by which it was intercepted, and which may be replaced in ashort time. The fenders, being adjustable, may be easily and quickly raised or lowered to intercept torpedoes floating at any depth.

Having thus described my invention, I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States- 1. The combination of the hooked supporting-rods B, having studs B', the pivoted connecting-rods F, the herein-described guard or fender, and the adjusting-rods H, having perforations G', as herein described.

2. The combination of the hooked rods B, having connecting-rods E, with the verticallyadjustable guards or fenders, connected by pivoted rods to the said hooked rods, and having hooks by which they may be supported when in a raised or elevated position upon the rods E, as described, for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto attixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM HENRY WALKER.

Witnesses:

J oHN L. PoLLooK, JOHN WHARTON. 

